Activities

Looking for a bit of adventure and excitement during your vacation to the Mayan Riviera? Don’t worry, the Guest Services Team at Hacienda del Secreto can organize a complete itinerary for you and your party, full with activities that can help you make the most of your time in the Mayan Riviera. And though we know how hard it is ourselves to leave the comfort of HDS, the Yucutan Peninsula is rich with ancient history, culture and beauty- so get out there and explore!

Mexican Giant Sea Turtles (FREE)

From May to October, giant 300 lb. sea turtles arrive at Playa del Secreto each year to lay their eggs. Each night, as many as 10 new nests can be found on the Playa del Secreto beach. You may sit in the sand next to these wonderful creatures and watch as they lay their eggs and then walk with them as they return to the sea. It is an experience of a lifetime!

On The Beach

Once you arrive at the beach, what will you do? Many of us like to simply lie back, soak up the sun, and catch up on some reading. But for those who desire a little more excitement, ask our guest services team to arrange a Parasail trip or a day Kite Surfing rental. Both are sure to give you something thrilling to do on the beach of Playa Secreto. We also have five ocean kayaks at Hacienda del Secreto, which are yours to use while staying with us!

Mayan Riviera Snorkeling

Want to experience the colors of the Mayan Riviera underwater? Snorkeling trips to nearby reefs are available, and run daily. You can choose from 2 hour trips to full day tours on a fully equipped boats with bathroom facilities, snacks, beers, soft drinks and more.

For mini-exploration, there is a reef on Playa Secreto that is abundant with micro-life and coral.

The Mayan Riviera is rich with natural beauty. Not only does it have some of the most stunning beaches in all of the Caribbean, arguably the world, but between the states of Quintana Roo and the Yucatan, we have over 6,000 cenotes. What is a cenote, you might wonder. Simply stated, a cenote is an underground cave or sinkhole near to the earth’s crust, that has been transformed by nature’s turbulence, revealing stunning freshwater pools, caverns and deep caves. And we have 6,000 of them!

Being one of the most desired activities by tourists in our area, we encourage you to go and explore! Close to home, we have some of the more rural cenotes, just a 20 minute drive away near the small fishing village of Puerto Morales. You can also choose to visit archaeological sites, such as Chichen Itza or Ek-Balam, both of which have beautiful deep cenotes for your viewing. In Ek-Balam, the plus is that you can still climb in and swim with guidance from one of the professional tour companies here in the Mayan Riviera. More recently, Ek-Balam or the “Bright Star Jaguar” in Maya language, has been restored and is therefore a very interesting site to see! On this tour, you discover the mysterious Maya Cenote, enjoy its beautiful rock formations and great natural pool of 80 m diameter. During the tour, you come into contact with many different and friendly Maya communities. For more information and the complete itinerary, click here.

The diving options are truly endless here in the Yucutan Peninsula. Depending on your level and experience, we can recommend a few companies. Are you looking to gain instructor hours or certifications, Mexico is THE best place to do it, with the wide variety of diving sites. One of our favorite sites is the Hurricane Wilma shipwrek in Isla Mujeres, C-58. Check out some live footage here for yourself!

Maya Civilizations ruled the Peninsula of Yucatan from the III to the IX Century. Their cultural legacy was transmitted from one generation to the next one, adapting to the present life. The Cultural Maya Encounter is a complete expedition to unveil the Maya culture from the past, and to share traditions with wonderful Maya people from now days.

Visit the archaeological site of Coba, and discover the amazing Nohoch Muul pyramid, the tallest in the Yucatan Peninsula from where you will have stunning views of the jungle. Visit a secluded Maya family set in Laguna Chabela, they will share with you ancient Maya manners. Then visit Tres Reyes an authentic Maya village where you can learn in their natural reserve that protects the flora and faunae of the area. Enjoy a lush meal of typical food, soft drinks and hand-made tortillas. For more information and the complete itinerary, click here.

Trekking

An unforgettable off-track adventure.

Enter into the amazing Sac-Actun cenote system, the world longest underground river, explored and recommended by National Geographic Snorkeler specialized cave divers. Snorkel in the Nohoch Nah Chiich cavern, surrounded by awesome rock formations and millenary stalactites and stalagmites. Ride through the exuberant rain forest on our all-terrain Mercedes Benz Unimogs.Live a great experience rappelling into a beautiful cenote and swim in Yaxmuul, a unique natural pool. Enjoy nature and fly over the jungle’s foliage on exciting zip-lines. Discover a mystic cenote where you will participate in a traditional Maya purification ceremony. All the locations are exclusive for our small groups. Our specialized tour guides are fully bilingual and will provide thorough explanations and directions before each activity. For more information and the complete itinerary, click here.

Mayan Restaurants

Yaxche Maya Cuisine Restaurant in Playa del Carmen serves dishes inspired by the Maya and their cooking traditions, as well as traditional entrees from Yucatan. The restaurant chef has created a fusion of Maya, Yucatecan, and European cuisine for the menu, making the flavors of the Maya more accessible.

Winner of several awards, including 1st place in all of Mexico for regional specialty cuisine, Yaxche is perfect for a special dinner out.

Alux Restaurant, Bar and Lounge emerges within the depths of a naturally formed cavern.The restaurant’s interiors have metamorphosed for thousands of years to create the visual spectacle of countless stalactites and flowstones. Awe your senses as we delight your palate with our fine Mexican and International cuisine.The enigmatic energy of the ancient Mayans is felt everywhere in this cenote cavern. At Alux, Nature itself is the star attraction.

If you are looking for a cozy romantic getaway, a unique family outing, a private party, the ideal reception dinner, or a majestic wedding ceremony led by an authentic shaman, Alux provides the setting for any occasion. Alux is more than a restaurant; it is a unique and unforgettable experience.

And lastly, for your pre-trip research, TripAdvisor has some great advice on activities in the Mayan Riviera!

Want to talk to someone directly?

For more information on our availibilty, prices, location, services and more, give us a call toll free at 866-656-3152 or direct at 281-812-7743.